For comics shipping 10.07.09 or The Week The Industry Went To Baltimore. Every week I’ll check Diamond’s shipping list to see what you absolutely, positively need to spend all your hard earned cash on at the Local Comic Shop.

DARK HORSE COMICS

Buffy the Vampire Slayer #29 – $2.99

Twilight’s army has found the Slayers, and things are about to get ugly. As you can see from this terrific homage to Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos, Buffy and the gang are going to have to resort to some very un-Slayer-like methods to defend themselves. With just about a year left to go on this series, it’s about time we started getting some answers, and hopefully the conclusion of this arc leads us out of the dark.

DC COMICS

Batman and Robin #5 – $2.99

I think everyone jumping on the “Jason Todd is Red Hood” bandwagon is going to be sorely disappointed when we find out that this new Red Hood is somebody completely out of left field. Of course, I’d be shocked if it was anyone other that Jason only because DC seems to really enjoy keeping him around, and he’s been missing for a few months. I trust Morrison to deliver a good story, and Phillip Tan’s art is incredibly enjoyable, so I’ll just let them do what they do best, and enjoy the ride.

Greek Street #4 – $2.99

This book is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride through Greek mythology, and even though it can be a bit hard to follow at times, I’m willing to give Milligan some leeway considering the book is only four issues into its story. Gianfelice’s art continues to impress, and I hope he’s on this book for the long haul.

Planetary #27 – $3.99

It’s here. It’s finally here. The conclusion to Warren Ellis and John Cassaday’s dissection of heroes, sci-fi, and stereotypes hits store shelves, and it’s about damn time. I know both guys have been extremely busy with various other projects, but it’s going to be awesome to see how it all ends. Going to have to give myself a refresher course on the series before I read the issue, but that’s going to be half the fun.

MARVEL COMICS

Astonishing X-Men #31 – $2.99

Phil Jiminez joins Warren Ellis this month in an effort to salvage the wreckage that this book has become after Ellis’ first arc. Chronic lateness and a rather underwhelming story turned this from one of the most entertaining X-books on shelves into one that was a chore to read. With Jiminez on board, I’m willing to give this series another chance. You should too.

There was never any doubt that Bendis was going to continue to tell the same great Spider-Man stories he’s been doing for years, but with David LaFuente’s art, this comic has become one of the top 5 coming out any given month. As good as Bagley and Immonen were during their runs on this title, LaFuente has come along to make the comic distinctly his, and the work he does here should shoot him to the top of the comic artist stratosphere very quickly.

Trade Paperback/Hardcover of the Week

Peter and Max: A Fables Novel – $22.99

Just in time for my weekend excursion to Las Vegas comes this prose novel set in the Fables universe. The solicitation for the book read as follows:

Long ago, in the deepest dark of The Black Forest, two brothers – Peter Piper and his older brother Max – encountered ominous forces that changed them both irreparably. Thus begins an epic tale of sibling rivalry, magic, music and revenge that spans medieval times to the present day, when their deadly conflict surfaces in the placid calm of modern day Fabletown.

Haven’t read the comic? Don’t worry, you’re not going to need any prior knowledge of Fables continuity to enjoy this book. Willingham’s an excellent writer, and I’m really interested to see what he can do with this novel.